Egypto-Mania 2000
EDITORIAL

Volume 3, Issue 1
January 2000

Egypto-Mania 2000
Beyond the Pyramids & Sphinx

 

Egypto-mania is a unique phenomena in the history of art, born at the juncture of science and imagination, and enriched with myths and symbols that extend to all the arts: architecture, interior design, furniture, decorative art, jewelry, sculpture, painting, fashions, theatre, films, etc. While cultures, arts and fashions change and transform, ancient Egypt continues to cast its spell with astonishing vitality on modern civilization. 

However, in light of the contemporary scientific revolutions in space exploration and the Human Genome Project (scheduled for completion in 2003), the world still searches for meanings and truths in ancient civilizations. But unlike the infatuated obsession for ancient Egyptian antiquities that prevailed in the past, most today are in pursuit of another explanation or entity. Perhaps these people delve into the ancient Egyptian civilization in search of the concept referred to as "MA-AT," the goddess (netert) which signifies harmony, equilibrium, truth, order, rightness and justice, whose opposite is chaos and disorder.

The Egyptian civilization was considered ancient as far back as the time of the Greek historian, Herodotus (c. 484-420 B.C.). He compiled the first general account of the culture as a whole. Some scholars date the beginning of the discipline of Egyptology to September 22, 1822 - the day in which the French, Jean-Francois Champillion, wrote his "Lettre a M Dacier Relative a la Alphabet des Hieroglyptes Phonetiques" that he had deciphered the 14-line hieroglyphic script of the Rosetta Stone (discovered in 1799). This discovery heightened interest in studying papyri, in an attempt to unravel the ancient civilization's many puzzles and secrets. 

A century later, the greatest "media event" in the history of Egyptology captured the imagination of the world. This was the discovery of King Tutankhamen's tomb and treasures in November 1922 by Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon. This fundamental discovery was met with enchantment and soon led to the craze many refer to as "Tut-mania."

In 1994-95, a joint exhibition organized by the National Gallery of Canada (Ottawa), the Musee du Louvre (Paris) and the Vienna Museum entitled "Egypto-mania,"  offered a representative selection of master works from around the world. The objective was to follow the evolution of Egypto-mania in relation to the progress of Egyptology as a discipline and to admire the creative products of the phenomenon. Nonetheless, the most monumental structures that attract, mystify and mesmerize people worldwide are the Pyramids of Giza and the Sphinx. 

The Giza Pyramids

Egypto-mania 2000 is not a continuation of the previous world interests in the pyramids, sphinx, tombs, arts, treasures, etc. Nor is it a pathological entity, but a new phenomenon where the New World searches for cures to the problems of modernity in the ancient civilization and its culture. Today, more than 7 million Americans, Europeans and Japanese from a variety of religious cults aspire to visit the Giza plateau at their annual ceremony every March, during which they await the advent of the supernatural powers present in the Great Pyramid of Khufu to offer them immortality. They travel from every corner of the globe in patient anticipation of miracles from the burial chamber of the great pyramid.

The mixture of reality, myth, magic and art is engrained in most ancient civilizations. The Egyptians even believed that music was of divine origin. Ancient Egyptian mythology of Osiris, Isis and Horus is intertwined with symbolic and super-natural forces. 


The cover of Waleed
Toughan's recent book
"Pyramid Worship"

In this issue of The Ambassadors we present a review of Waleed Toughan's book "Pyramid Worship."  His fascinating account challenged us to contact Eng. Moustafa Gadalla, an independent Egyptologist, to offer us his views on the novel phenomenon of pyramid worship. He contends in his book, "Egyptian Cosmology: The Absolute Harmony," that there is strong evidence suggesting all the fourth dynasty pyramids were involved in a master plan to represent and resonate the constellation of the Orion on the land of Memphis (capital city of Ancient Egypt at the time). 

 

 


Moustafa Gadalla's recent book
on Egyptian mystic beliefs
"Egyptian Cosmology."

Orion has been identified in the Ancient Egyptian texts as the heavenly abode of the soul of Osiris. Towards the end of the pharaonic period, Osiris became not merely a magical guardian of the afterworld, but a moral judge. Furthermore, Gadallah states that the three Giza pyramids resemble the three stars of Orion's belt! At the time, individuals began to hope for personal salvation and survival. Could there be a correlation between these beliefs and those shared by the pyramid worshippers?! 

Even within mainstream culture, the pyramids have influenced architecture around the globe. It is well known that there is a large pyramid stool in the necropolis on the Vatican hill, a high-tech glass pyramid at the entrance in the court of the French bastion of culture, the Louvre. In addition, the world-renowned Luxor Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas was constructed in 1972 by Robert Venturi in the form of a glass pyramid and is one of the largest pyramids on the threshold of the third millennium A.D. However, compared to its predecessors in Giza, the hotel/casino is a workplace and popular entertainment spot and some argue is devoid of any intrinsic metaphorical value. If so, what is that metaphorical value and where does it lie?

The Colossal Sphinx

The sphinx, known by its contemporary Arabic name Abul-Hol (Father of Terror), lies to the east of the three major fourth dynasty pyramids in Giza (Khufu, Khafre and Munkhaure). The sphinx's origin is attributed to the reign of the pharaoh Khafre, the builder of the second pyramid on the Giza plateau. Prof. Zahi Hawass, the renowned Egyptologist, believes that the sphinx itself represents its builder Khafre as he provides offerings to his father Khufu, the incarceration of Ra who rises and sets in the temple in front of the sphinx.


Zahi Hawass tells the story of the 
long-lasting efforts to restore and
 preserve the sphinx as a
 transnational monument

Until recently, the sphinx has been subject to five restoration efforts between 1400BC and 1987 A.D. Prof. Zahi Hawass was the last cosmetic surgeon responsible for the sixth ten-year restoration attempt along with a team of Egyptian specialists with the support of the UNESCO and other international organizations. Their successful project was completed in 1998 and their efforts were documented in his book "The Secrets if the Sphinx: Restoration Past & Present."

Among other suppositions on the pyramids and sphinx, these interpretations arouse great curiosity among new researchers and visitors about the puzzling secrets of the Pharaonic civilization and their lifestyle. This rampant interest in ancient Egypt, while offering a new substantive look, is one of the manifestations of "Egypto-mania 2000."

Who's who?

Recent studies are being conducted to precisely identify the Royal mummies using up-to-date computerized physical anthropological techniques in association with DNA studies. Professor Fawzia Hussein from the Egyptian National Research Center is a key figure in these studies alongside American, British, French and German collaborators. Some scholars are particularly interested in identifying the pharaoh of the Biblical Exodus?!

Other are interested in solving the puzzles of Pharaoh Akhnaten and King Tutankhamen.


The controversial and fascinating pharaoh
 inspired much literary creativity, such as 
Nobel-prize winner Naguib Mahfouz's 
book "Akhenaten: Dweller in Truth"

Akhnaten (1352-1336 BC)

Akhnaten, the father or father-in-law of King Tut  has intrigued and inspired scientists and artists alike over many centuries including novelists Agatha Christie and Nobel Laureate Naguib Mahfouz in his 1985 best-selling novel "Akhnaten: Dweller in Truth."

This interest spurred research by a Canadian Egyptologist from the University of Toronto who directed the Akhnaten Temple Project to collect and compile information about Akhnaten's reign. Prof. Donald B. Redford and his colleagues found nearly 45,000 inscribed and decorated talatat (stone blocks whose name derives from the Arabic word meaning three hand breadths, describing their dimensions) in the Amarna city and Karnak. Each had once constituted a component block in a wall carved in relief and brightly painted. They photographed them and studied these by computer technology, providing a better understanding of the mysteries that occurred during the pharaoh's life and following his death. Redford published the data in his 1992 book "Akhnaten: The Heretic King."  

Tutankhamen (1336-1327 BC)


Brier's recent book, "The Murder of 
Tutankhamen," revived questions 
about the dramatic death of the young
 king and raised speculation about a 
possible homicide.

In 1998, Bob Brier, a professor of philosophy at Long Island University (New York) published his book, "The Murder of Tutankhamen: A True Story." His hypothesis was a result of a compelling blend of history, modern-day forensics, archaeology and old-fashioned sleuthing. He postulates that Tutankhamen's successor, King Horemaheb is a pathological killer!! He denies the possibilities of natural or accidental death. Scientists now are interested in studying King Tut's alleged paternity, infertility and cause of death using modern biomedical technology, a departure from the infatuation with his treasures and their aesthetic magnificence.

 

Pharaonic Science & Medicine

The British medico-Egyptologist , Dr. John F. Nunn,  incorporated the most recent insights of modern science, medicine and Egyptology in his 1996 book entitled "Ancient Egyptian Medicine" published by the British Museum. Many scholars are fascinated with the critical study of pharaonic herbal medicine and surgical techniques. Recently, some of these techniques are receiving much attention from people, for instance, the use of snake-oil in an attempt to cure baldness!

Egyptologists believe that although ancient Egyptian civilization was built on observations, a residue of magic and sacerdotal medicine affected their practices.

Paleo-pathological studies

One of the signs of Egyptomania 2000 is the more recent look at ancient Egyptian art by biological anthropologists and medical geneticists. 

Two German professors, Kunz and Nippert included a chapter about Ancient Egypt in their 1986 book "Genetic Malformations in Art." This study presented the second account of research on this topic following Paul Ghalioungi and Zeinab el-Dawakhly's book "Health & Healing in Ancient Egypt."


The relief of the "Queen of Punt"
 has aroused much curiousity in
 medicine regarding her unique condition.

During the American Society of Human Genetics conference held in San Francisco last October a poster was presented about "Queen of Punt" (1473-1458 BC) relief present at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. This relief shows the queen's unique pathological obesity which seems to represent a new syndromic entity. 

Last November, the American scientist Dr. Chahira Kozma of Georgetown University, presented a lecture on "Genetic conditions in Ancient Egypt" at the international genetics conference in Cairo. She mentioned that 10-20% of adult mummies show evidence of arteriosclerosis. These surprisingly high figures is a sign characteristic of modern societies! In the process of studying the art of the ancient Egyptians, Kozma hopes to reveal not only the disease profile of the people, but also their attitude towards the handicapped. On this regard, she reports that the ancient Egyptians were generous and compassionate in their treatment of the dwarfs and the blind.


Desmond Stewart's book documents 
much of the political, social and cultural
 history of the city of Cairo

"The Triumphant"

The city of Cairo, whose name means "triumphant," has changed greatly over the centuries, yet it will always remain an astonishing and remarkable city. In the middle ages, this African city was the largest metropolis in the three continents of the Old World. Its way of life and its order and scholarship impressed visitors from Europe and Asia who's trade passed through their bazaars. As  the link between west and east, Cairo was rich enough to afford public buildings that were uniquely splendid. In 1996, Desmond Stewart popularized the common local phrase "Misr-um-al-Dunya" in the title of his book "Great Cairo:  Mother of the World," with thousands of mosques and hundreds of churches.

Menes: The Unifier   

The unification of both Egyptian kingdoms under the first dynastic pharaoh Menes still holds the nation together firmly to this day. The 64 million inhabitants of Egypt, both Muslim and Christian, are considered conservative. Millions can be seen frequenting in their respective mosques and churches every Friday. Researchers are interested in understanding the permanent and intangible yet cohesive bond between all Egyptians, irrespective of their differences, since Menes's time. 

"Beyond Pyramids"

Another avenue which has triggered interest in Egypt over the past decade are the development projects now underway in every sector in the country. Programs to promote awareness on health, population growth, education, and the environmental issues are among the leaders in developing countries.


Coastal tourist development such as this area 
of Sharm El Sheikh are receiving attention from
 environmental conservationists (Eco-Egypt). 

One such project is Eco-Egypt, a program

 funded by the International Development Research Center (IDRC) in Canada and the Arab Office for Youth & Environment (AOYE) in  Egypt. The objectives of the joint initiative was to assess and document the environmental and cultural issues involved with touristic expansion in Egypt. The project yielded a documentary film, "Beyond Pyramids" about these issues and covers ten different tourist locations in the country. Many such programs concentrate on the investigation of modern dimensions of life in Egypt.  (Eco-Egypt Homepage)

The Twelve Dreams of the Son"


A 12-hour concert to celebrate the year 
2000 at Giza promises to be one of the 
biggest festivals worldwide.

Egypto-mania reached its climax with the major celebration that took place at the Giza Plateau to celebrate the new millennium. Initial plans were made to cap the Great Pyramid of Cheops with a golden pyramidian in celebration of the "seventh Egyptian millennium." However, controversy around the intention, motivations and consequences of this coronation triggered debate in many local circles. As a result, the extravagant capping was excluded from the schedule of festivities. 

Yet, the musical show entitled "Twelve Dreams of the Son" was performed by the eminent French composer Jean-Michel Jarre. The program was divided into twelve sections, each lasting for one hour commencing at sunset on December 31st, 1999 until the sunrise of January 1st, 2000. According to Mr. Jarre, the essence of this celebration was to reflect the Egyptian traditions and rituals. The timing of the celebration which coincided with the setting and rising of the sun, relates to the ancient Egyptian heritage and traditions that are inspired by the sun. And as the millennium celebration also coincided with the duration of the Islamic month of Ramadan, which is based on the concept of fasting from sunrise to sunset, a strong correlation between the different aspects of the celebration is to be derived. This and similar celebrations concentrating and revolving around ancient Egypt as a focal point are a modern manifestation of renewed Egypto-mania.

The Prospects

The present study is not about ancient and contemporary Egypt nor about the evolution of Egypto-mania but rather a humble attempt to discuss how the world looks for truth and peace in the Middle East through the Egyptian windows at the crossroads of the millennia. This fascinating trend towards better comprehending ancient and modern civilizations has prompted our interest in pursuing such scholarship. All those interested in joining this initiative are welcome to join The Ambassadors in its mission to converge global paths and create an avenue for discussion between various cultures and civilizations.

HAPPY YEAR 2000

Dr. Talaat I. Farag, FACP, FRCP(Edin)
Chief Editor, The Ambassadors
ambassadors@sprint.ca

References


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